Abstract: Methods for fabricating high frequency ultrasound transducers are disclosed. The methods include fabricating an acoustic lens layer with a curved center section and two flat side sections. The curved section includes a center portion with a midpoint and an edge. The midpoint has a first thickness, and the edge has a second thickness. The center portion is fabricated so that an average of the first and second thicknesses is approximately equal to an odd multiple of a quarter-wavelength of the center frequency of the ultrasound transducer. The methods can also include bonding the lens layer to a matching layer that is operationally coupled to a transducer layer. The matching layer can include an epoxy layer and another layer. Bonding the lens layer includes bonding the other layer to the lens layer using the epoxy layer such that the other layer is positioned between the epoxy layer and the transducer layer.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an ultrasound imaging system is configured to receive a set of ultrasound images of a target anatomical region. The set of ultrasound images is combined to create a composite tissue frame. The ultrasound imaging system determines whether an interventional instrument is present within the ultrasound images based on a set of trained classification algorithms based on the set of ultrasound images and the composite tissue frame. If an interventional instrument is detected, the ultrasound imaging system further determines whether an additional ultrasound frame should be captured to image the interventional instrument, and the steer angle to be used for the additional ultrasound image. The ultrasound imaging system determines a linear structure corresponding to the interventional instrument, and creates a blended image showing the interventional instrument and the composite tissue frame.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying blood vessels in ultrasound images and displaying blood vessels in ultrasound images are described. In some embodiments, the method is implemented by a computing device and includes assigning, with a neural network implemented at least partially in hardware of the computing device, one of a vein classification and an artery classification to one or more blood vessels in ultrasound images. The method also includes determining a misclassification for one blood vessel that denotes the neural network assigning the one of the vein classification and the artery classification to the one blood vessel in one ultrasound image and the other of the vein classification and the artery classification to the one blood vessel in additional ultrasound images. The method includes displaying, in the one ultrasound image, an indication of the other of the vein classification and the artery classification for the one blood vessel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying blood vessels in ultrasound images and displaying blood vessels in ultrasound images are described. In some embodiments, the method is implemented by a computing device and includes receiving an ultrasound image that includes one or more blood vessels, and determining, with a neural network implemented at least partially in hardware of the computing device, diameters of the one or more blood vessels in the ultrasound image. The method includes receiving a user selection of an instrument size, and indicating, in the ultrasound image, at least one blood vessel of the one or more blood vessels based on the instrument size and the diameters of the one or more blood vessels.

Abstract: Ultrasound transducer assemblies and associated systems and method are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an ultrasound transducer assembly includes at least one matching layer overlies a transducer layer. A plurality of kerfs extends at least into the matching layer. In some aspects, the kerfs are at least partially filled with a filler material that includes microballoons and/or microspheres.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method is provided. The method includes transmitting a first set of ultrasound waves to determine whether there is fluid flow at a target area. The first set of ultrasound waves are transmitted at a first pulse repetition frequency. The method also includes determining whether there is fluid flow in a second area based on the first set of ultrasound waves. The second area is between the target area and an ultrasound probe. The method further includes transmitting a second set of ultrasound waves to detect fluid flow at the target area in response to determining that there is fluid flow in the second area between the target area and the ultrasound probe. The second set of ultrasound waves are directed towards the target area. The second set of ultrasound waves are transmitted at a second pulse repetition frequency.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method is provided. The method includes transmitting a set of ultrasound waves to towards a target area. The set of ultrasound waves are transmitted by a set of ultrasound elements. The set of ultrasound elements are positioned at different locations in a transducer assembly. The method also includes receiving a set of reflections of the set of ultrasound waves. The set of reflections of the set of ultrasound waves are received by the set of ultrasound elements. The method further includes determining a set of correction values for the set of ultrasound elements. Each correction value of the set of correction values represents a refraction of one reflection of the set of reflections as the one reflection passes through a respective ultrasound element of the set of ultrasound elements. The method further includes generating imaging data based on the set of reflections of the set of ultrasound waves and the set of correction values for the set of ultrasound elements.

Abstract: An ultrasound probe and method for using the same are described. In one embodiment, the ultrasound probe comprises: a probe array assembly having a probe tip; a first enclosure disposed around a portion of the probe array assembly, where the first enclosure has first and second openings and comprises a thermally conductive material; and one or more thermally conductive fins contained within the first enclosure, each of the one or more thermally conductive fins having one end enclosed within the probe array assembly and a portion extending away from the probe array assembly and in thermal contact with an inner surface of the first enclosure to create a thermal path from the first opening to the second opening in the first enclosure.

Abstract: Planar phased ultrasound transducer including a first layer including a sheet of piezoelectric material, a piezo frame surrounding an outer perimeter of the sheet of piezoelectric material, and an epoxy material placed between the piezo frame and the sheet of piezoelectric material. The transducer includes a flex frame secured to a back side of the first layer.

Abstract: The disclosed technology features methods for the manufacture of electrical components such as ultrasound transducers. In particular, the disclosed technology provides methods of creating an ultrasonic transducer by connecting one or more multi-layer printed circuits to an array of ultrasound transducer elements. In one embodiment, the printed circuits have traces in a single layer that are spaced by a distance that is greater than a pitch of the transducer elements to which the multi-layer printed circuit is to be connected. However the traces from all the layers in the multi-layer printed circuit are interleaved to have a pitch that is equal to the pitch of the transducer elements. The disclosed technology also features ultrasound transducers produced by the methods described herein.

Abstract: Systems and methods for producing ultrasound images are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, ultrasound image data are acquired in discrete time increments at one or more positions relative to a subject. Control points are added by a user for two or more image frames and a processor interpolates the location of the control points for image frames obtained at in-between times.

Abstract: Planar phased ultrasound transducer including a first layer including a sheet of piezoelectric material, a piezo frame surrounding an outer perimeter of the sheet of piezoelectric material, and an epoxy material placed between the piezo frame and the sheet of piezoelectric material. The transducer includes a flex frame secured to a back side of the first layer.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system including an image processor configured to receive input data for capturing ultrasound images of a region of interest. The ultrasound images are taken along a first plane; and the input data further includes an indication that a needle will be inserted into the region of interest. The system can capture a plurality of ultrasound images of the region of interest along the first plane. The system can determine one or more high-confidence areas of the region of interest where the needle will intersect the first plane. Each high-confidence area is based on a probability that the needle will intersect the first plane at any portion of the high-confidence area; and display one or more on-screen markers corresponding to the one or more high-confidence areas in conjunction with the plurality of ultrasound images on the display.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for controlling an ultrasound device. The method, for example, can include indexing a location of a part of a palm of the operator on the user interface. The method can also include indexing locations of one or more fingers of an operator on a user interface based on the location of the part of the palm. The method can further include assigning one or more functions of the ultrasound device to the indexed locations of the one or more fingers on the user interface. In addition, the method can include sensing the one or more fingers of the operator near or on the indexed locations on the user interface. The method can also include performing the assigned one or more functions based on sensing the one or more fingers of the operator near or on the indexed locations.

Abstract: Certain embodiments are directed to a method, system, or apparatus, such as a medical imaging device. The method can include retrieving data from a worksheet or form repository server. The data can include one or more fields of a customized worksheet or form. The one or more fields can be based on at least one of an identification of a user, a location of the medical imaging device, or a medical department using the medical imaging device. The method can also include recreating the customized worksheet or form at the medical imaging device based on the received data, and displaying the recreated customized worksheet or form on a graphical user interface connected to the medical imaging device. In addition, the method can include producing a medical image via the medical imaging device, and automatically forwarding the customized worksheet or form and the medical image to a billable workflow or an educational workflow.

Abstract: Apparatuses and associated methods for mounting PCBs and other electronics boards in portable medical equipment and/or other portable and non-portable electronic devices are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the technology disclosed herein can provide PCB mounting systems that isolate the PCB from detrimental shock, vibration, and/or strain, while also providing electrical ground paths that greatly reduce EMI and other electrical disturbances. Some embodiments of the mounting systems described herein include both elastomeric (e.g., rubber) components and resilient metallic grounding members that, when assembled together, provide favorable shock mounting as well as robust electrical grounding without the inconvenience of using separate shock mounts, grounding straps, etc.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system performs spectral Doppler processing in a manner that considers a physiological cycle of a subject. In one embodiment, gaps in a spectral Doppler signal are filled taking by a processor that analyzes changes in the spectral Doppler signal caused by a physiological cycle. Spectral Doppler data are scaled to fit with the data occurring before and after a gap. The firing order of an interleaved imaging mode can also be adjusted so that spectral Doppler imaging is not interrupted during pre-defined or user defined portions of a physiological cycle.

Abstract: A dual frequency ultrasound transducer includes a high frequency (HF) transducer and a low frequency (LF) transducer that is positioned behind the high frequency transducer. An intermediate layer is positioned between the low frequency transducer and the high frequency transducer to absorb high frequency ultrasound signals. An alignment feature on the low frequency transducer is positioned with respect to a fiducial that is marked at a known position with respect to high frequency transducer elements of the HF transducer to align low frequency transducer elements of the LF transducer with the HF transducer elements.

Abstract: Systems and methods of facilitating the viewing of interventional instruments (e.g., needles, catheters, guidewires, vascular filters, biopsy probes) are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a portable, handheld or cart-based ultrasound imaging machine is connected to an external laser light source that transmits laser light to a tip of an interventional instrument via one or more optical fibers. The laser light is absorbed at the distal tip of the instrument and generates a photoacoustic signal. The ultrasound imaging machine creates an image by combining data from the received photoacoustic signals with ultrasound echo data to show both tissue in a region of interest and the tip of the interventional instrument.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are disclosed herein for securely docking portable ultrasound imaging devices and/or other medical equipment to stand heads and other support structures. In some embodiments, a portable imaging device can include a movable carrying handle that enables the user to easily secure the imaging device to a stand head by rotating the handle to engage one or more latch mechanisms on the stand head. The user can quickly remove the imaging device from the stand head for transport to another location by disengaging the one or more latches and rotating the handle in the opposite direction. If the new location lacks a stand head or other docking structure, the user can rotate the handle downwardly to act as a stand that elevates the rear portion of the device to facilitate use on a desktop or other surface.